Tag Archives: thairrific

The enigmatic postings on Thairriffic’s website don’t help much to explain why Chef Kyla is no longer on staff at the restaurant near the Cedar Springs strip. The messages began appearing earlier this week and today it reads:

For our loyal customers, Chef Kyla (myself) and Family (Original owners that started and built Thairrific 10 years ago) would like to thank you for coming to Thairrific.
However, due to changes internally … My Family, Wonderful Wait Staff, and my loyal Cooks will no longer be present at Cedars Springs.

So what the heck is going on at the restaurant? Owner Daniel Sikora and Chef Kyla Phomsavanh both have their sides of the story. Throughout this week, I spoke with both parties and let’s just say they’re both unhappy with each other and willing to talk at length about it. I’ll try to keep it to the basics.

Danny Sikora

Thairrific co-owner Danny Sikora announced over the weekend that he’s signed a lease for his North Dallas restaurant in Oak Lawn and plans to move it. Thairriffic, the 2011 Dallas Voice Reader’s Voice Award winner for best Asian food, will open in the space being vacated by Hung*dingers.

Hung*dingers closed on Friday. Owner Royce Mathews said the time was right and a deal was offered that will allow him to return to the world of product design.

Thairrific’s current location is hidden, in a shopping center at 3068 Forest Lane, across the street from the Cinemark theater at Webb Chapel Road. The Forest Lane location will reopen as a new concept later this year.

Sikora said his company, Crucial Pickles LLC, “is developing a new concept, which will feature some staples from the current Thairrific menu plus new offerings, to open later this year in the Thairrific Forest Lane space.”

Chef Kyla Phomsavanh’s menu consists mainly of traditional Thai cuisine using family recipes but will include some items from Laos, Vietnam, Philippines and the U.S.

The restaurant will open with lunch and dinner hours, but Sikora said he plans to eventually expand to late night dining Thursday through Saturday, and weekend brunch. He said they’re planning to deliver. He said he hopes to continue the fun atmosphere that characterized restaurants that have occupied that space in the past.